Reloading for AR in .223

[JohnMOhio]

Thanks to all of you for taking the time to comment. Since my grandson is not getting into match shooting at this point, I will have a go at it with what we have on hand and see what happens. If the market opens up regarding availability of powder and primers will give it a try with the heavier bullets to the longer ranges if he gets the bug for competition. I hope so.

Again, my thanks to all.

John

[limazulu]

The 1:9 twist generally likes the 69 grain bullets with a slower powder such as AA2520 so 4895 would be worth a try with a goal of about 2700 fps.

I shoot a 1:7.8 and it likes the 77's and 80's with the slower powders. It also likes the 52's and 53's but with a faster powder like IMR 4198. I've shot the 53's using 4198 with excellent results.

So, you might try the 55's with 4198.

[AKA Hugh Uno]

There really isn't such thing as "over-stabilizing" unless you really get going faster than typical .223 velocities and then your bullets will tend to vaporize, not tumble. Sierra 55 grains varmit bullets easily stay under and inch. I use 4895, H380, H322 and several others. All are fine. Don't rule out anything until you try it.

[JohnMOhio]

Again, my thanks to Limiazulu and AKA for your posts and the additional information. I do have the IMR 4198 on hand.

[Johnny Peppers]

The best shooting bullet in my stock Colt with 1 in 9 is the Sierra 55 gr. HP. This is not a match bullet, but has a long bearing surface and will consistently shoot them into 3/4" at 100 yards. The 69 gr. HPBT Match will consistently shoot into 1.25 inches at 100 yards.
Start off with suggested loading data and see what it does.

[rider]

5.56(M193) 55gr FMJBT shoots OK in my 1:7 barrels, and that's hotter than my 55gr FMJBT (bulk bullet) handloads. Have fun.

[Swede]

I have a DPMS AR with a 1-9 barrel and all I shoot in it is 50 & 55gr bullets. With groups between 1"-1 1/2" at 200 meeters.
Of the powders you listed I would go with the 4895. Varget, TAC, BLC-2, 748, might be a better choice. I use mostly BLC-2 with 50 & 55gr bullets, with TAC being 2nd. They are both ball powders and meter nicely. 4895 and Varget being stick powders do bridge every now and then going through that small neck. For high volumn shooting you might want to try TAC, it burns cleaner.

[bodiebill]

I hve been in the habit of chamfering the case flash-hole and many rifle calibers.
With the .223 Rem 5.56 NATO I have found many cases to be ragged at the flash hole.
Does this really help ignition/accuracy or am I wasting my time?

[JohnMOhio]

Bodiebill, I wish I could give you an answer to that question. This is the first time for me to reload .223. I can say that the other calibers that I reload for I have never removed any burrs from the inside of the flash hole. As for the outside of the primer pocket, the tool I have does put a small chamfer on it when I remove the crimp on military cases.

I know others remove the burrs on the inside however I find this to be done mostly by the dedicated target shooter. At least that is the impression that I have come to over the years.